Ring resizing insert

ABSTRACT

A ring resizing insert, comprising a length of insert material configured in a ring shape with an outer end overlapping an inner end and having a contoured outer surface to engage an inner surface of a ring, the ring resizing insert capable of engaging a finger when inserted therethrough and capable of expanding outwardly to allow a knuckle to pass therethrough.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to jewelry and more specifically relates to a ring resizing insert for inserting into and resizing a ring.

BACKGROUND

Many people enjoy wearing jewelry, particularly rings. For many people they can have a particular emotional attachment to the rings they own, for example engagement or wedding rings can have significant importance to individuals.

As a person ages or suffers injuries to their fingers or otherwise experience changes to their bodies, the diameter of their knuckle can become larger than the diameter of the rest of their finger, which can cause a problem when placing a ring on the person's finger. The problem is that the finger hole through the ring must be large enough to allow the knuckle to pass through it, but if the diameter of the person's finger is smaller than the knuckle, the ring may not comfortably fit on the persons finger. For example, the ring may spin freely or the ring may slide up and down the persons finger. In some instances, the ring may be sized improperly and may accidently fall of a person's finger as they perform normal day-to-day activities, such as washing their hands, which can result in the loss of the ring or other inconvenience.

On occasion, jewelers have added one or two beads on the inner surface of the ring that can allow the ring to squeeze past the ring wearer's knuckle and press inwardly on the persons finger to hold the ring in place. These beads can be uncomfortable for the ring wearer as they can press in on a person's finger in one or two small points.

Additionally, jewelers have added a thin piece of wire running from one point on the inner surface of the ring to a second point on the inner surface of the ring, making the finger hold slightly smaller. This can additionally be uncomfortable for the ring wearer as the wire can feel like it is cutting into the wearer's finger. Additionally, the wire can break and it may be possible for the wire to break as the knuckle presses against it as the ring wearer is placing the ring on their finger, resulting in the ring wearer having to replace the wire.

There is a need for a ring resizing insert that is capable of overcoming the problems described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, there is a ring resizing insert comprising a length of insert material configured in a ring shape with an outer end overlapping an inner end and having a contoured outer surface to engage an inner surface of a ring, the ring resizing insert capable of engaging a finger when inserted therethrough and capable of expanding outwardly to allow a knuckle to pass therethrough.

In some embodiments, the ring resizing insert can be capable of expanding outwardly when the ring resizing insert is engaged with the inner surface of the ring.

In some embodiments, the outer end can be biased outwardly to frictionally engage the inner surface of the ring when the ring resizing insert is engaged with the inner surface of the ring, and in some embodiments the contoured outer surface can be curved shaped.

In some embodiments, the ring resizing insert can further comprise a curved contoured inner surface.

In some embodiments, the insert material can be metallic and in other embodiments such material can be gold, platinum, silver, stainless steel or an alloy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of embodiments of the system and methods described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a ring resizing insert;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the ring resizing insert shown in FIG. 1 when inserted into an engaged with the inner surface of a ring; and

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the ring resizing insert when engaged with the inner surface of a ring along the line 3-3 shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein. For ease of reference, certain reference numerals are reused when referring to similar elements even among different embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 1, ring resizing insert 10 is shown. Ring resizing insert 10 is configured in a ring shape and has outer end 14 which overlaps with inner end 12.

Ring resizing insert 10 is comprised of an insert material, which can be a thickness such that ring resizing insert 10 is flexible and outer end 14 and/or inner end 12 is capable of being bent slightly when pressed, for example, by a finger and then capable of tending to return to its original position (that is, ring resizing insert 10 tending to return to its original shape). In some embodiments, the insert material can be gold, platinum, silver, stainless steel, an alloy or another appropriate material.

Ring resizing insert 10 has inner surface 18 and outer surface 16, with outer surface 16 being contoured so as to engage with a portion of an inner surface of a ring when ring sizing insert 10 is inserted into the ring. In the embodiment shown, inner surface 18 is additionally contoured, having a curved contour, which can tend to provide a more comfortable fit when ring resizing insert 10 is placed on a ring wearer's finger.

In the embodiment shown, outer end 14 is biased outwardly, which can tend to provide a frictional engagement when ring resizing insert 10 is inserted and engaged with a ring, with outer end 14 frictionally engaging the inner surface of the ring. Such frictional engagement can tend to assist in preventing ring resizing insert 10 from slipping out of the ring or spinning inside the ring when worn by a ring wearer.

With reference to FIG. 2, ring 20 is shown having ring resizing insert 10 inserted and engaged therein wherein ring resizing insert 10 is engaged with a portion of inner surface of ring 20. In the embodiment shown, ring 20 is a jeweled ring, such as a diamond ring; however, skilled persons will appreciate that ring 20 can be any type of ring for placement on any finger of a ring wearer.

Ring resizing insert 10 can tend to be helpful when ring 20 has a finger hole that is larger than the diameter of a ring wearer's finger. In such situations, ring 20 may not fit comfortably on the ring wearer's finger, for example, ring 20 may spin when worn on the ring wearer's finger, may fall off the ring wearer's finger, or may slide up and down the ring wearer's finger between a ring wearer's knuckle and the joint connecting a ring wearer's finger to their hand.

In some uses, ring resizing insert 10 is engaged with the inner surface of ring 20 and a ring wearer places ring 20 with ring resizing insert 10 onto their finger by placing their finger through the finger hole in ring 20 containing ring resizing insert 10. As a ring wearer's knuckle passes through the finger hole, the ring wearer's knuckle (which tends to have a larger diameter than the rest of ring wearer's finger) presses on ring resizing insert 10, causing ring resizing insert 10 to expand outwardly to allow the knuckle to pass through the finger hole. Once the knuckle passes through the finger hole containing ring resizing insert 10, ring resizing insert 10 tends to return to its original position engaged with the inner surface of ring 20, and inner surface 18 of ring resizing insert 10 can now engage the ring wearer's finger to allow for a snugger fit of ring 20 for the ring wearer.

In other uses, the ring wearer may first place ring resizing insert 10 on their finger, passing their finger through the finger hole through ring resizing insert 10. As a ring wearer's knuckle (which leads to have a larger diameter than the rest of the ring wearer's finger) passes through the finger hole through ring resizing insert 10, the knuckle presses on ring resizing insert 10, causing ring resizing insert 10 to expand outwardly to allow the knuckle to pass through the finger hole. Once the knuckle passes through the finger hole, ring resizing insert 10 tends to return to its original position. In such embodiments, a ring wearer can then place ring 20 on their finger by inserting their finger through the finger hole of ring 20 and once ring 20 is on the ringer wearer's finger, the ring wearer can engage ring resizing insert 10 with the inner surface of ring 20, a portion of inner surface 16 of ring resizing insert 10 to engaging with the inner surface of ring 20. Skilled persons will understand that in other embodiments a ring wearer can first place ring 20 on their finger, followed by placing ring resizing insert 10 being placed on their finger then engaging ring resizing insert 10 with the inner surface of ring 20.

With reference to FIG. 3, a cross section of ring resizing insert 10 when inserted in ring 20 is shown, the cross section being along the line 3-3 shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown, contact points 30 of ring resizing insert 10 engage with the inner surface of ring 20. In some embodiments, ring resizing insert 10 may be flexible such that when ring resizing insert 10 is engaged with ring 20 and inner surface 18 is pressed on, for example by the knuckle of a ring wearer's finger, contact points 30 may slide along the inner surface of ring 20, causing the hole through ring resizing insert 10 to increase in size to allow the knuckle to pass therethrough.

In such embodiments when a ring wearer inserts their finger through the finger hole in ring resizing insert 10 where ring resizing insert is engaged with the inner surface ring 20, as the ring wearer's knuckle passes through the finger hole the knuckle can press on inner ring resizing insert 10. In such embodiments contact points 30 can slide along the inner surface of ring 20 and can cause the curvature of inner surface 18 to reduce, which can increase the size of the finger hole through ring resizing insert 10 and allow the knuckle to pass therethrough.

Once the ring wearer's knuckle has passed through the hole in ring resizing insert 10, ring resizing insert 10 can tend to return to its original position and finger hole size and can engage with the inner surface of ring 20 and with the ring wearer's finger to allow for a comfortable fit of ring 20 for the ring wearer. Skilled persons will appreciate that in other embodiments outer surface 16 may lie flush against the inner of ring 20 (which ring resizing insert 10 is engaged to the inner surface of ring 20) and in such embodiments, contact points 30 may tend to remain in their original positions even when a ring wearer's knuckle presses on inner surface 18 of ring resizing insert 10.

The present invention has been described with regard to specific embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variants and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein. 

1. A ring resizing insert, comprising a length of insert material configured in a ring shape with an outer end overlapping an inner end and having a contoured outer surface to engage an inner surface of a ring, the ring resizing insert capable of engaging a finger when inserted therethrough and capable of expanding outwardly to allow a knuckle to pass therethrough.
 2. The ring resizing insert of claim 1, wherein the ring resizing insert is capable of expanding outwardly when the ring resizing insert is engaged with the inner surface of the ring.
 3. The ring resizing insert of claim 2, wherein the outer end is biased outwardly to frictionally engage the inner surface of the ring when the ring resizing insert is engaged with the inner surface of the ring.
 4. The ring resizing insert of claim 3, wherein the contoured outer surface is curved shaped.
 5. The ring resizing insert of claim 4, further comprising a curved contoured inner surface.
 6. The ring resizing insert of claim 5, wherein the insert material is metallic.
 7. The ring resizing insert of claim 6, wherein the insert material is gold.
 8. The ring resizing insert of claim 6, wherein the insert material is platinum.
 9. The ring resizing insert of claim 6, wherein the insert material is silver.
 10. The ring resizing insert of claim 6, wherein the insert material is stainless steel.
 11. The ring resizing insert of claim 6, wherein the insert material is an alloy. 